Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-05-14

luS tnat California sulphur lncdIis SUI
phur from other countries, ground or sub
lined only in California; and that for
economy's sake, if anyone insist on for
eign article, he should buy the ground
sulphur and thereby escape the duty OF one
cent per pound.
COMPARATIVE VALUE OF GROUND AND SUB
LINED SULPHUR FOR VINEYARD USE.
This much mooted question has been
carelessly handled by many. First, let us
comprehend the effect of any sulphur dis
tributed in the vineyard. Sulphur in a
flne condition, exposed to the atmosphere,
undergoes a partial evaporation; the vapor
produced comes in contact with the germs
or organs of the oidium and aecomplishes
their destruction. Evaporation is there
fore the result desired. This evaporation
is particularly favored by exposure to the
suns heat and especially when the am
biant temperature reaches 700 f. or over.
Now, other things being equal the finer
the sulphur the greater must be the surface
exposed, and consequently the more rapid
the evaporation. Evaporation is the result
desired. Sublimed sulphur is that pro-
duced by boiling crude birthstone and con-
densing the vapor thus formed in a closed
chamber. In cooling the vapor the sulphur
IS recovered in little round globules. Sew
eral of these globules are usually attached
and form a string in appearance when mag
nitied, much resembling string of beads.
The sulphur in this shape exposes less sur
face than could be produced in any other
form so that with equal fineness ground
and irregular particles would better answer
our purpose. To demonstrate this practi-
cally, two samples OF the same sulphur &C
curately determined in weight, one ground
and the other sublimed, were exposed to
the same heat as if in the vineyard. Sam
pies selected for this purpose were of APP
parent equal fineness. The same were
weighed from day to day, and the expert
ment repeated several times, and the above
conclusions were amply borne out in every
weighing. Not only did the sublimed or
flowers of sulphur evaporate less, but it
also showed q more rapid formation of
sulphuric acid than the ground sample,
thus furnishing another objection to the
use of sublimed sulphur, one which its ex-
ponents have frequently and incorrectly
urged against the use of ground or tritu-
rated sulphur.
have yet to know of any considerable
damage done to vines by the sulphuric acid
existing as an impurity in the commercial
article, either ground or sublimed; though
some have strongly urged the presence of
sulphuric acid as an objection to ground
sulphur. This is wrong, as there is every
condition to favor the formation of sui
phuric acid in the operation of subliming
sulphur, and nothing to favor such forma-
ton in the grinding process. Specialists
who have made this matter a thorough
study corroborated my conclusions.
do not urge this as an objection to the
use of sublimed sulphur, but if any disad-
vantage accrues from the presence of sui
phuric acid, it must not be laid at the door
of the ground sulphur
HOW AND WHEN TO APPLY SULPHUR.
For very small vineyards, the dredger.
an instrument much resembling a large
pepper-box, answers well enough, es-
pecially while the vines are Young. For
more advanced vineyards and larger areas
the bellows should be used, holding from
three to five pounds of sulphur These lat
ter are furnished by local manufacturers and
effect a considerable saving of time, labor
and material over the dredger. By the use
of the bellows, too, the sulphur can be more
evenly distributed. A simple open nozzle
is the best; any perforated cover for this
latter is apt to get clogged, and the bell
shape frequently given to it does not spread
or expand the sulphur jet-a purpose for
which it is designed but fails to accomplish.
bent nozzle is more of an Incumbrance
than an advantage. The simplest, strongest
and best in the end. With this tool a
workman will sulphur from five to eight
thousand vines per day-vines in an ad-
vanced state of vegetation. He may apply
as many pounds of sulphur per day with
other instruments, but it cannot thus be so
evenly distributed nor cover the same area.
The powdered sulphur should be applied
so as to lodge as much as possible on and
near the growing parts of the vine This
secures a dense sulphur vapor in direct
contact with the diseased organs. Sulphur
on the old stump, or even on the surface of
the ground, will destroy the oidium, but
larger quantity would be required.
Sulphur falling on the ground is by no
means lost, but lesser quantity will an
swer if lodged on the leaves and branches.
1t has been stated that sulphur falling to
the earth is lost by its effect being immetii-
ately neutralized. The sulphurous acid
formed is neutralized but the vapor of sui
phur-the active disinfectant is not neu-
tralized; nor is the effect of the sulphur
lost, except as it be covered up and hid
from the sun and air.
The simplest rule as to the time Cor ap-
plying sulphur Is Treat the VINEYARD
whenever the disease makes lis appearance"
But, If we desire TO apprehend even its
introduction, which is the general custom
in California, the first application should
be made at or about the time of Towering,
as at this period the disease is apt to attack
the delicate organs of qualification and
render the vine infertile. Altogether the
most favorable results have been obtained
by sulphuring at the time of biossoming.
This, too, is one of the methods of combat
ing couture, trouble which will be treated
later on. Young vines do not require so
frequent sulphuring nor so great 3 quantity
as vines in full bearing The former
should be sulphured when the shoots at
tain length of few inches and again.
later on, if the oidium makes its appear
ance. Bearing vines should, in addition to
the treatment at blossoming, receive sec
ond application from the first to the middle
of June, and again, later on, if the disease
makes its appearance.
The quantity used at each application
may vary with the number of vines per
| acre, and should be governed somewhat by
| the susceptibility of the variety as before
explained. Less is needed for the first
than for subsequent applications. when
the vines attain full proportions. The
quantity commonly used in California for
old vines subject TO oidiunA is about eight
pounds per acre for the first treatment. and
from twelve to twenty pounds at the sec
ond application.
The use of this remedy in conformance
with the above instructions will effect q
great saving over conventional methods
pertaining at present in California. Not
unfrequently our vineyardists sulphur in
weather positively prohibltory to the dis
ease. Varieties but little liable TO oidium,
situated perhaps in the hottest and driest
interior localities and trained low to escape
it. often receive dose which goes only to
fertilize the soil and stimulate the growth
of the vine.
This latter function is one which, how
ever, must not be overlooked; the general
| aspect of the vine is always improved and
vegetation greatly stimulated by the free
use of sulphur. A small percentage only
of the sulphur applied vaporizes-the bal
ance works into the soil, becomes slowly
oxydized and finally unites to form sui
pilates of the alkalies and alkaline earths,
which are in substance the essential ingre-
dent of some of the best fertilizers. Still
it is we'll to know whether the sulphur is
applied for the cure of oidium and as a
fertilizer, or as a fertilizer only.
The most favorable hours for applying
sulphur are from s or 8 o'clock in the
morning to the middle of the afternoon,
preferably from 8 a. NJ. to P. NJ. The sui
phur which comes in contact with dew or
other water is in no wise altered thereby